The Hakone Ropeway is a main form of transportation in the Hakone area. Hakone is a large area with more than 7 distinct villages. Each area has a special history, culture, and activities. To connect you with all of these wonderful places there are many forms of transportation to use. In Hakone there are buses, boats, cable cars, and ropeways. The Hakone ropeway is one of two ropeways, the other being the Komagatake Ropeway heading to the top of Mt. Kamiyama.
The Hakone Ropeway has been acknowledged by the Guiness Book of World Records as the most ridden ropeway in the world. People use the ropeway to visit the steaming vents of Owakudani and travel between Gora and Togendai on Lake Ashi.
Riding the Hakone Ropeway
The Hakone Ropeway runs between Soun Station in Gora to Togendai Station on the shores of Lake Ashi. Along the way there are three stops and a ropeway car change at Owakudani. Owakudani is a geological marvel and one of the highlights for any visit to Hakone or Japan.
Japan is one of the most geologically active countries in the world and Owakudani is an example of the power and beauty of the earth. The steaming vents are impressive and seen in very few other places around the world. The mountain side seems stripped of vegetation, leaving the bare earth exposed for us to see. When you get off the cable car you will smell the sulfur and see the steam climbing into the sky.
Riding the Ropeway is a part of the “Hakone Loop”, a convenient suggested itinerary to see the most of Hakone. The “Hakone Loop” usually starts and ends at Hakone Yumoto Station. The most convenient and economical way to do the loop is with the Hakone Freepass.
Hakone Ropeway Price and Hours
The Ropeway runs between 9:00 to 5:00pm from February 1st to November 30th. The gondolas come at approximately 1 minute intervals so you don`t have to wait long. Each gondola can hold up to 18 people. The Hakone ropeway also does an amazing job of accommodating guests that may be using wheelchairs.
